Cyclone Sidr Ravages India and Bangladesh, Over 1100 Killed.

Hi Brian. Unfortunately it's too late for me to get there (need a visa) plus can't afford it unless sponsored by a news network! Wish I could get there.

Sidr is now packing winds of 130kts, on the verge of being a category 5 storm in the world's most flood susceptable regions. If major evacuations are not taking place now I guarantee that there will be thousands dead from this storm.

More updates to follow....

Judging from the comments on that storm forum, this one's going to be pretty grim. Let's stay on top of this.

Off to bed now, I'll be providing updates on the storm as and when they come over the course of tomorrow (starting in about 10 hours time.)

Some updated information from tropicalcyclonesblog:

Tropical cyclone Sidr
Warning 09 at 1500 GMT
Approximate position: 15.7N 89.3E
Approximate location: 405 miles S of Calcutta, India
Movement: N at 7 knots
Maximum sustained winds: 130 knots
Maximum gusts: 160 knots
Threatened landmasses: Bangladesh, India

Sidr
is at peak intensity. Atmospheric conditions will start to deteriorate,
initiating a weakening trend. Its course will remain northerly.
Landfall will occur in western Bangladesh at around 1800 GMT tomorrow,
November 15th. Top winds will be at 80 knots at that point and further
weakening appears likely.

HAZARD SUMMARY
Significant wave height is 35 feet
Tropical storm force winds extend 125 to 140 miles from the centre
Hurricane force winds extend 55 miles from the centre
Landfall anticipated at 1800 GMT on November 15th

The power of this storm and other cyclones hitting Bangladesh is incredible. Several years ago, I was reading a report from an international development consultant who said that there were ways to significantly reduce the loss of life from flooding in Bangladesh, namely building a series of coastal breakwaters to ease storm surges.

The catch? The implementation would cost several years worth of Bangladesh' GNP, in essence tens of billions of dollars. Unfortunately this is not economically feasible for Bangladesh and the suffering continues at a catastrophic level every year.

Thanks for the insight and update TyphoonHunter.

Doc, it's a very sad situation down there. I know that the Bangladeshi government have built many elevated cyclone shelters but will there be enough to support the whole population of the delta? I doubt it.

I'm just about to update the main article but here's the latest on the storm - JTWC still carrying Sidr at 130kts with gusts up to 160kts. It's forecast to make landfall in the worst place in regards to storm surge. Winds on the east side of the storm will be piling water on-shore straight onto the coast/delta area of Bangladesh. Current maximum wave height is 40ft, the coastal region is about 5ft above sea level.

Landfall is now due in about 24 hours as the cyclone moves north at 9kts. If this story could please be flagged as breaking news in about 24 hours that would be great.

Still at 130kts from JTWC, just below category 5 strength and due to make landfall in about 16 hours. At the moment Sidr is showing no signs of weakening.

Worst case scenario now starting to unfold. JTWC have upped Sidr to 135kts, making it a category 5 storm. It's due to make landfall with sustained wind of 130kts. The track has shifted to the east placing a larger stretch of the highly vulnerable coast at risk from the storm surge.

This is going to be a historic weather event, for all the bad reasons.

Also see nksagar's story here.

There's an excellent list of links and resources you can find here, with sources like weather stations, satellite imagery, etc.

As of 11:35am EST it looks like Sidr has made landfall in Bangladesh.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/15/content_7083396.htm 

Evacuations are slowly getting underway, but there's reports on forums of entire areas that haven't given any evacuation warnings yet. Fears are the death toll will be extremely high.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aq99ARHhiP9o&refer=asia 

Hi Rob.

Yes, Sidr has made landfall now on Bangladesh with winds of around 120-130kts. I think it will be some time before accurate account of damage come out since the area will be pretty chaotic in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

It's pretty late here now but when I get up in the morning I'll be on this story all throughout the day.

Thanks, TyphoonHunter! Keep us posted.

Yes, thanks a ton for keeping on top of this Hunter, coverage is rare on any of the mainstream sites or stations.

Update from wundergound.com and a story from the daily star at 2:42am GMT.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=11868

Reuters now reporting death toll at 66. This is likely to rise considerably over the coming hours.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071116/tts-uk-bangladesh-storm-648bc60_9.html

TyphoonHunter, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

That footage is terrifying.

Death tool is reportedly 425 now (and will doubtless keep skyrocketing).

Breaking again to keep this at top of news cycle...

Thanks Brian. Reuters now reporting over 500 dead and it seems the authorities haven't managed to get in contact with those towns most severely affect by the storm surge near the coast.

Thanks TH. We've been trying to find pics and video but it's been really difficult -- I guess anybody who's in a position to take photos either doesn't have power or has more important things on their minds right now.

I haven't managed to find any pictures either Brian. Thanks Rob.

Death toll has jumped considerably now. AP reporting 1100 dead according to this article - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116/ap_on_re_as/bangladesh_cyclone

Disease is going to be a major factor in the coming days too.